Palparan vows to revive Anti-Subversion Law

MANILA, Philippines – Controversial party-list Rep. Jovito Palparan of Bantay vowed yesterday to pursue the revival of the Anti-Subversion Law at the House of Representatives as part of his crusade against communist rebels and their front organizations that he claimed are seeking to overthrow the government.

Palparan, a retired Army general who is villified by left-leaning groups, told reporters at the weekly news forum Daungan sa Balita in Danarra Hotel, Quezon City, that the revival of the anti-subversion measure aims to expose members of the House of Representatives who are supporting armed rebellion in the countryside.

“If it’s proven that they are supporting armed rebellion then they have no business in Congress,” he said.

Palparan said he would introduce a measure to prevent lawmakers from diverting their pork barrel funds to armed groups who are fighting to topple the government.

He said the communists are using deception and propaganda to promote their ideology with the objective of destroying the democratic processes in the country.

Palparan, dubbed “The Butcher” by left-leaning groups that accuse of him of being the leader of the military group involved in the killings of activists, clarified that he has nothing personal against leftist congressmen but he will give them a “good fight” through debates in the session hall.

He said the revival of the anti-subversion law is the continuation of his fight against the communist New People’s Army (NPA) from the countryside to the halls of Congress.

Palparan said he would seek the help of the President to certify as urgent his bill to insure the passage of the law.

He belittled the efforts of leftist congressmen to discredit him, saying that the people will judge if he really deserves the title of butcher.

Aside from pursuing the revival of the anti-subversion law, Palparan will also seek a measure that will allow barangay tanods (community watchmen) and civilian volunteers in remote areas to get government-issued firearms so they can defend themselves against communist rebels who are preying on them.

He said rebels usually target tanods and other volunteers in the countryside.

Another party-list group, the Alliance National Democracy (ANAD), expressed support for the revival of the anti-subversion law.

Val Domingo, ANAD president, said when the anti-subversion law was repealed it was a victory for the communist rebels who continued their armed struggle by hiding behind front organizations.

He said aside from the repeal of the anti-subversion law, the abolition of the Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) was also a victory for the communists that now have the monopoly of providing basic military training to their cadres.

“ROTC was a way to provide discipline to the youth,” Domingo said.